The past year started with the first anniversary of the passing of Emperor Showa and ended with various functions related to the Enthronement Ceremony. I am grateful that all those functions were carried out smoothly with the cooperation of a large number of people.
The past year, as we look back upon it, has indeed been an eventful one, at home and abroad. At home, there were also a number of natural calamities, and I regret very much that more than 90 people lost their lives, owing to local downpours, typhoons and a tornado.
I wish the New Year may be a happy and peaceful one for our people and for the people of the world.